I am hoping I can implement jmri - serial - to an arduino mega with sensor shield - -to a 16 channel relay board.

JMRI turnout status from the table will drive a relay channel.? An ac source will be connected to the relays with a pair of back to back diodes.? As the relay switches, a diode will clip the ac voltage wave into half wave, either positive or negative, which will throw a tortoise machine.? Using an ac source with the diodes allows for a simple relay output to swing the tortise motor.? The tortoise relay will provide feedback thru the mega, back to the sensor table, to the panel to drive the light indicators.

Bob

On Fri, Jun 7, 2019 at 5:01 PM whmvd <vandoornw@...> wrote:

Hi Jerry,

How very nice to read an update that is a success story! Due to the nature of groups like this, the focus is always on problems -things that go wrong. Much gets solved, and the occasional 'than you' shows up, but rarely such an extensive progress report. Great stuff!

Wouter

On Fri, 7 Jun 2019 at 19:05, JerryG via Groups.Io <jerryg2003=[email protected]> wrote:

Thought I would post an update (a year later) on the approach I took to implementing BOD and turnout control. My original question was about which of several systems to use to get started: ?LocoNet/LCC, Digitrax/RR-Cirkits -?
each with an expected total price tag of $200-300 for my modest size layout.? After digesting the comments in this thread and other very insightful posts, I took another route: ?C/MRI and Arduinos, an approach I’d assumed would be much more time consuming than the others.? Based on the issues some report here, I’m not sure that is the case, and the actual dollar expenditure was a lot less.

My total outlay so far is about $50 for six Arduino Nanos, ?a couple of dozen IR transmitter/receivers, a few servos, some relay circuit boards and assorted wires, LEDs, resistors, and USB connectors.? Many hours later (but not more than you might spend detailing a few locomotives or scratch-building a warehouse), I’ve got my turnouts being controlled in JMRI and by panel buttons (including a 3-way and double X-over), ?10 blocks set up to be monitored (determining occupancy, and also train direction and speed in most but not all situations - as is being discussed in another topic), and even my Ferris wheel starting whenever a train goes by! ?

One of the Arduinos uses direct serial input (thanks Bob!) to set Memories via a script (thanks, Bob, Ken, and Geoff) with train size (number of cars) and speed info.? The others are daisy chained via RS485 to appear as C/MRI nodes to JMRI (thanks Bruce and Michael), accepting various Turnout and Light controls and setting lots of Sensors.? I’m still fiddling with my Arduino sketches (programs) to add more controls and mine all the information I can, but that will likely never stop. ?

I’m building on the work of the many contributors to JMRI and this forum.? Your input is very much appreciated - thank you!? In return, I’ve added to the JMRI “help” pages, contributed to this forum, written a couple of articles and hope to do more to pay this forward. ?

Jerry
___________________________________
jerryg2003@...

Jim,

> On 8 Jun 2019, at 10:31 AM, James LeFevre via Groups.Io <jlefevre1=[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Basically when any device, computer, tablet, or phone will not update to the latest operating system it is time to get rid of it.

That's fine in principle, but pensioners are a neglected demographic in the technology world. We don't have unlimited and increasing disposable income and have to make choices that often result in us falling further behind in the mad rush for change and company profit through forced hardware upgrades.

The day may yet come when I can no longer afford to be a JMRI developer, possibly not even be able to run the latest JMRI at my layout.

Dave in Australia

Hi Jerry,

How very nice to read an update that is a success story! Due to the nature of groups like this, the focus is always on problems -things that go wrong. Much gets solved, and the occasional 'than you' shows up, but rarely such an extensive progress report. Great stuff!

Wouter

On Fri, 7 Jun 2019 at 19:05, JerryG via Groups.Io <jerryg2003=[email protected]> wrote:

Thought I would post an update (a year later) on the approach I took to implementing BOD and turnout control. My original question was about which of several systems to use to get started: ?LocoNet/LCC, Digitrax/RR-Cirkits -?
each with an expected total price tag of $200-300 for my modest size layout.? After digesting the comments in this thread and other very insightful posts, I took another route: ?C/MRI and Arduinos, an approach I’d assumed would be much more time consuming than the others.? Based on the issues some report here, I’m not sure that is the case, and the actual dollar expenditure was a lot less.

My total outlay so far is about $50 for six Arduino Nanos, ?a couple of dozen IR transmitter/receivers, a few servos, some relay circuit boards and assorted wires, LEDs, resistors, and USB connectors.? Many hours later (but not more than you might spend detailing a few locomotives or scratch-building a warehouse), I’ve got my turnouts being controlled in JMRI and by panel buttons (including a 3-way and double X-over), ?10 blocks set up to be monitored (determining occupancy, and also train direction and speed in most but not all situations - as is being discussed in another topic), and even my Ferris wheel starting whenever a train goes by! ?

One of the Arduinos uses direct serial input (thanks Bob!) to set Memories via a script (thanks, Bob, Ken, and Geoff) with train size (number of cars) and speed info.? The others are daisy chained via RS485 to appear as C/MRI nodes to JMRI (thanks Bruce and Michael), accepting various Turnout and Light controls and setting lots of Sensors.? I’m still fiddling with my Arduino sketches (programs) to add more controls and mine all the information I can, but that will likely never stop. ?

I’m building on the work of the many contributors to JMRI and this forum.? Your input is very much appreciated - thank you!? In return, I’ve added to the JMRI “help” pages, contributed to this forum, written a couple of articles and hope to do more to pay this forward. ?

Jerry
___________________________________
jerryg2003@...

Correct. The iPad 1 is so far out of date it is almost useless. Gave mine away over 2 years ago.? Basically when any device, computer, tablet, or phone will not update to the latest operating system it is time to get rid of it. ?

Jim

On Jun 7, 2019, at 17:20, Steve Todd <mstevetodd@...> wrote:

The problem is likely lack of support for WebSocket in that browser. You can test at?.
If you can't update or use an updated browser, there is workaround.
Enable and use the /frame server instead of the /panel server. See JMRI webserver preferences.
--SteveT